geekEleet

Microsoft has officially unleashed the Xbox Experience, or NXE, upon Xbox 360 owners everywhere, and it’s… well… interesting.

Yesterday, millions of Xbox 360 consoles were given the opportunity to “transform”, as Microsoft calls it in their press release.  Personally, I’m thinking that the average user will just think of it as a new GUI.  Microsoft added a tonne of new functionality in what looks to be an effort to attract more users to the product, instead of pleasing the masses of existing users.  The new Xbox Experience contains a completely redesigned GUI that adds a more cartoony feel to the console.  I wasn’t personally impressed by it.

The worst part is that the Xbox Media Center Extender still doesn’t support the DivX codecs that are already on the console from the last update.

[more]Some of the other features that they added to the NXE include:

• Netflix instant streaming in HD - this would be awesome if it was free
• Xbox Live Party - have a virtual party with your friends
• Personality plus - 3D avatars to help you become a cartoon
• On-demand entertainment - more content that would be great if it was free
• Personal game room - Revived classics like PAC-MAN, also not free
• games for the community, by the community - play games that your neighbour developed

So, to sum it all up for you - they made the interface cartoon-ish and then added a bunch of new ways for you to buy content from their partners.  No real functionality updates for actual gamers.  Thanks Microsoft.